Ammoudi Bay near Oia, Santorini

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by Santorini Dave • Updated: June 2, 2023

Ammoudi Bay

Ammoudi is a beautiful bay and small port located between 278 steps below Oia. The bay is lined with terrific seafood restaurants, with the crystal clear waters lapping at the table’s edge. The port is busy with boat tours arriving and departing all day long. Catamarans of all sizes bring tourists to see the volcano, swim in the hot springs, tour the caldera cliffs and beaches, and on wildly popular sunset cruises. 5 minutes walk past the last restaurant, a dirt path hooks around the corner to a great swimming spot, with a small island you can swim out to that has a popular ledge to jump off.

Map showing access, restaurants, and features of Ammoudi Bay in Santorini, Greece

Accessing Ammoudi Bay

There are two good options to reach the bay. A steep but walkable staircase from just below the castle in Oia leads down to the bay if you’re up for it. Each step is wide, and the surfaces uneven at times. If you’re heading out to a romantic dinner in fancy shoes or spending the day in flip flops, this walk probably isn’t for you. Like the Fira to Oia hiking trail, it’ll help to have on appropriate shoes.

The other way is to take a taxi that can be arranged at your hotel or by your restaurant for the return. The fixed priced for a taxi between Oia and Amoudi is 10€. Another option is to walk one direction and drive the other. Ammoudi Bay restaurant waiters are happy to call taxis for their dining guests after a meal.

There is a small parking lot adjacent to Ammoudi Bay, but the road down is narrow, and the lot is often packed with cars and difficult to access. For this reason, even if you have a rental car, we recommend walking or taking a taxi to Ammoudi Bay over driving yourself.

Watching the boats come and go is a great pleasure while dining along the water.

Ammoudi Bay Information

Location: Oia, Santorini

Hours: Ammoudi Bay restaurants are open during lunch and dinner hours.

Parking: Free parking, with a short walk to restaurants. The road is narrow and filled with vehicles shuttling passengers to dining and boat tours, and can be hectic during peak hours.

Bus: None.

Dining: A handful of great waterfront restaurants to choose from:
• Ammoudi Fish Tavern
• Sunset Restaurant
• Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna
• Katina’s Fish Tavern